The Sparks Foundation
The Sparks Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Columbia, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $7.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $401K. Net investment income was $329K.
Key facts about The Sparks Foundation
In short: The Sparks Foundation gave $401K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $80K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 23-7029788
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $401,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- Average grant
- $80,200
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $7,279,001
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.3M
+13.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$401K
+22.7% YoY
Grant Count
5
-76.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$80K
+415.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sparks Foundation reported a distributable amount of $315K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How The Sparks Foundation gives
- Giving grew 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 127% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 5 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
93 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| America First Policy Institute Washington, DC | TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION. | $375,000 |
| Family Is Everything Nashville, TN | To support the Organization's mission. | $10,000 |
| Operation Light Shine Hermitage, TN | To support the Organization's mission. | $10,000 |
| Covenant Church of Heber Springs Heber Springs, AR | TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH'S MISSION | $5,000 |
| Ambassador Services International Franklin, TN | to support the organization's mission. | $1,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,279,001 | $6,424,463 | $5,178,287 |
| Revenue | $389,194 | $999,885 | $-114,777 |
| Expenses | $468,683 | $374,120 | $293,771 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $401,000 | $326,791 | $241,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $329,291 | $999,885 | $62,913 |
| Distributable Amount | $315,033 | $271,165 | $258,258 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Sparks Foundation is led by Robert D Sparks, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert D Sparks
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Sparks Foundation
How much does The Sparks Foundation give each year?
The Sparks Foundation gave $401K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $327K across 21 grants.
What is The Sparks Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sparks Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $80,200, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Sparks Foundation give grants?
The Sparks Foundation gives mostly in District of Columbia: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Tennessee (5%).
Does The Sparks Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Sparks Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "to support the organization's mission." (3 grants).
Who are The Sparks Foundation's largest grantees?
The Sparks Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include America First Policy Institute ($375,000), Family Is Everything ($10,000) and Operation Light Shine ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Sparks Foundation?
The Sparks Foundation reported $7.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $401K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $315K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Sparks Foundation?
The Sparks Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Columbia, TN. It holds $7.3M in total assets as of 2024.
What is The Sparks Foundation's EIN?
The Sparks Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7029788. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Here's the math on researching The Sparks Foundation by hand.
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